Restoration Estimator & Project Manager
Black River Design Build | Milwaukee / North Shore Area
Black River Design Build is looking for a highly organized, client-focused Restoration Estimator & Project Manager to join our growing team.
Established in 1994, Black River Design Build is a design-build remodeling and restoration company serving homeowners throughout Milwaukee, the North Shore, and surrounding communities. Our Restoration Division helps clients navigate difficult, often stressful situations involving water, fire, storm, and insurance-related damage. We are looking for someone who can bring professionalism, clear communication, strong construction knowledge, and calm leadership to every project.
This role is ideal for someone who understands both the technical side of estimating and the people side of project management. The right person will be comfortable meeting with homeowners, documenting project conditions, preparing accurate scopes and estimates, working with insurance carriers when needed, coordinating trade partners, and managing projects from first inspection through completion.
Position Summary
The Restoration Estimator & Project Manager will be responsible for evaluating restoration projects, preparing detailed estimates, communicating clearly with clients and insurance representatives, coordinating production, and ensuring each project is completed with quality, efficiency, and professionalism.
This person will serve as a key point of contact for homeowners throughout the restoration process and will be responsible for helping turn a stressful situation into a well-managed, well-communicated experience.
Key Responsibilities
Estimating & Project Evaluation
- Meet with homeowners to inspect and evaluate restoration-related damage.
- Document existing conditions with photos, measurements, notes, and clear scope information.
- Prepare accurate restoration estimates based on field conditions, construction requirements, and project needs.
- Review insurance scopes and identify missing, inaccurate, or incomplete items when applicable.
- Communicate scope details clearly with clients, insurance adjusters, internal team members, and trade partners.
- Help establish realistic budgets, schedules, expectations, and production plans.
Project Management
- Manage restoration projects from approval through completion.
- Coordinate labor, materials, subcontractors, inspections, schedules, and client communication.
- Ensure work is completed according to Black River Design Build standards, project scope, applicable codes, and client expectations.
- Proactively identify issues in the field and help resolve them before they become larger problems.
- Keep projects moving while maintaining quality, safety, cleanliness, and professionalism.
- Perform jobsite visits, progress checks, and final walkthroughs.
- Maintain accurate project documentation throughout the life of each job.
Client Communication
- Serve as a trusted guide for homeowners throughout the restoration process.
- Communicate clearly, professionally, and regularly regarding schedule, scope, changes, next steps, and expectations.
- Help clients understand the difference between insurance-covered work, required repairs, and optional upgrades.
- Represent Black River Design Build with integrity, empathy, and professionalism.
Internal Coordination
- Work closely with office staff, production teams, estimators, designers, subcontractors, and leadership.
- Provide clear handoffs between estimating, approvals, production, billing, and closeout.
- Support a positive, team-oriented work environment.
- Help improve systems, processes, documentation, and client experience within the Restoration Division.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, steady under pressure, and able to balance construction knowledge with excellent communication. This person should be comfortable walking into complex or emotional situations, creating clarity, and leading the project forward.
We are looking for someone who is:
- Experienced in residential construction, remodeling, restoration, or insurance repair.
- Comfortable estimating projects and creating detailed scopes of work.
- Strong at communicating with homeowners, team members, trades, and insurance representatives.
- Organized, accountable, and able to manage multiple projects at once.
- Professional, trustworthy, and client-focused.
- Able to problem-solve in the field and make sound decisions.
- Committed to quality workmanship and a positive client experience.
- Comfortable using technology for estimating, documentation, communication, and scheduling.
- Able to represent Black River Design Build’s values of integrity, quality, teamwork, client focus, and a positive environment.
Preferred Experience
- Residential remodeling or restoration experience.
- Insurance restoration estimating experience.
- Project management experience in construction or remodeling.
- Familiarity with water, fire, storm, and structural repair scopes.
- Experience working with insurance adjusters and supplementing claims.
- Familiarity with estimating software, construction management software, or CRM systems.
- Ability to read plans, scopes, sketches, and construction documents.
- Knowledge of building codes, permitting, inspections, and residential construction sequencing.
Required Qualifications
- Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to visit jobsites throughout the Milwaukee / North Shore area.
- Ability to climb stairs, inspect active jobsites, take measurements, and safely navigate construction environments.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Professional appearance and client-facing demeanor.
Compensation
Compensation will be based on experience, qualifications, and fit for the role. Black River Design Build offers a professional, team-oriented environment with opportunities for long-term growth within the company.
About Black River Design Build
Black River Design Build has been serving Southeastern Wisconsin homeowners since 1994. We are built on integrity, quality, teamwork, client focus, and a positive work environment. Our team takes pride in doing things the right way, supporting one another, and helping clients through both planned remodeling projects and unexpected restoration needs.
How to Apply
Qualified candidates are encouraged to submit a resume and a brief summary of relevant construction, estimating, restoration, or project management experience.
Black River Design Build
Milwaukee / North Shore / Southeastern Wisconsin
